A World Wide Rave: What the heck is that?

A World Wide Rave is when people around the world are talking about you, your company, and your products. Whether you’re located in San Francisco, Dubai, or Reykjavík, it’s when global communities eagerly link to your stuff on the Web. It’s when online buzz drives buyers to your virtual doorstep. And it’s when tons of fans visit your Web site and your blog because they genuinely want to be there.

January 30, 2009

This was taken at the Wilson Piedmont Glacier at Marble Point, off the Ross Sea in Antarctica by Keri Nelson who lives nearby.

I met Keri via Facebook by way of Twitter. Let me explain because this is one of those "power of Twitter" stories. I sent out a tweet on December 30, 2008 asking my followers if anyone knew someone in Antarctica. Several people responded with leads including Brenda Haines who said her friend Keri lives there. I traded a few Direct Messages on Twitter with Brenda and within a few hours had a connection to Keri via Facebook where she agreed to help. A photo was sent by way of the U.S. Air Force via New Zealand and less than a month later a Keri sends us this terrific photo!

I'm so jazzed to get a photo from Antarctica because now we have all seven continents represented in World Wide Rave photos. Thank you Keri (and Brenda).

Keri says: "I'm basically doing grunt work in Antarctica. In real life I am an RN and former TV reporter. I'm just trying to have as many careers as possible! This photo was actually taken on the continent. Most folks here land at McMurdo, which is actually on Ross Island, not the continent proper."

Keri has two interesting blogs, although she doesn't update as much during the Antarctic summer. "I haven't updated in ages," she says. "I'll probably start once winter starts here (March) when things slow down a little and I have a bit more time."

Keri answers questions from school children such as Tanner, who asks: "Do you ever see penguins?"

Keri answers (with a photo): "It's funny you ask! I just saw some penguins the other day! This doesn't happen all the time here, so I was very lucky to see them. These are Emperor penguins. They are the same kind of penguins you would see if you watched the movie March of the Penguins, or Happy Feet. They are 3-4 feet tall, and weigh 80-90 pounds. There are smaller penguins here, called Adelie penguins."